Speaking on an NFL draft conference call, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said today that Lewan remains an elite prospect in April's draft -- if he forgoes his final season of college eligibility.

Lewan has said he won't make his decision until after U-M plays in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.

"Taylor Lewan, right now, I don’t think he’s going to be the first left tackle taken. I think Luke Joeckel from Texas A&M, who won the Outland Trophy, I think he will be,” Kiper said. “Lewan, right now, is 13 on the big board. He will be battling, ironically, a kid from the Mid-American Conference, not far away at Central Michigan, in Eric Fisher. So it’s Eric Fisher or Lewan to be the second tackle off the board, behind Joeckel.

“Lewan, you go back to the Ohio State game, was beaten that one time but, overall, has been pretty solid this year, got better as the year went along. The Michigan situation, with Michigan producing a lot of offensive tackles for the NFL, certainly helps.”

Kiper also weighed in on Denard Robinson’s future, which will not be at quarterback in the NFL. Where his spot is -- and how highly he’s regarded -- will play out in all-star games and combine training.

“That’s something you can ask in April, as well; it’s not going to change,” Kiper said. “There’s going to be that unknown, can he be a true slot receiver/return man? Now the pro day, the combine, that will certainly help. Obviously, there’s a lot of people hoping he goes down to Mobile, Ala., and plays in that Senior Bowl and does what Antwaan Randle El did, coming out of Indiana as a quarterback, goes there and shows he can catch the football, return punts. If Robinson does that -- we know he’s got tremendous speed, a tremendous burst, he’s a tough kid, we know he can run with the football in his hands, you can put him in the backfield, he could be a situational back. You could put him in the slot, in the wing, in the return game. You can get him the ball in space in this league in a variety of ways, the way you spread the field now. As long as he shows he can catch the ball effectively, he’s got a chance to be a second-round draft choice.”

As for other draftable players from Michigan, Kiper said defensive tackle Will Campbell, linebacker Kenny Demens, defenisve end Craig Roh, cornerback J.T. Floyd, safety Jordan Kovacs and receiver Roy Roundtree are possibilities to be drafted on the third day.